Wheresoever Dispersed

This Wiki is Under Construction

I know – This is a bit of an oxymoron for a wiki, but what I am trying to say is that I have just started to format the initial content and am still playing around with the myriad of options and a somewhat archaic syntax for the page layout.

About Masonry

Freemasonry has tenets peculiar to itself. They serve as testimonials of character and qualifications, which are only conferred after due course of instruction and examination. These are of no small value; they speak a universal language, and act as a passport to the attentions and support of the initiated in all parts of the world. They cannot be lost as long as memory retains its power. Let the possessor of them be expatriated, shipwrecked or imprisoned, let him be stripped of everything he has got in the world, still those credentials remain, and are available for use as circumstances require. The good effects they have produced are established by the most incontestable facts of history. They have stayed the uplifted hand of the destroyer; they have softened the asperities of the tyrant; they have mitigated the horrors of captivity; they have subdued the rancour of malevolence; and broken down the barriers of political animosity and sectarian alienation. On the field of battle, in the solitudes of the uncultivated forest, or in the busy haunts of the crowded city, they have made men of the most hostile feelings, the most distant regions, and diversified conditions, rush to the aid of each other, and feel a special joy and satisfaction that they have been able to afford relief to a Brother Mason.[Benjamin Franklin]

Aim

The intent of this Freemason's Compendium is to offer to the Masonic Student ready access to explanations and definitions of Masonic terms and usages. The pages provide primarily information relevant to Masonry, but throughout, links are provided to non-Masonic references, providing, we hope, background information which enriches and explains the Masonic context.

Disclaimer

The range of references found here covers many aspects of our Fraternity. However, please bear in mind that NONE should be considered as speaking for the fraternity or that what is said or written is "binding" upon Masons. Each Mason must think for himself, and each is entitled to write whatever he wishes.

Masonry has no dogma. An official position would deny a man his right to think for himself and his right to follow the dictates of his own faith. Each Mason has a right to seek Masonry for what he wants to find. It is his right to believe as he wishes; BUT is is not his right to force that belief on others.

There are only three documents a Mason must abide by; the Ritual, the Constitution of the Grand Body in whose jurisdiction he lives and the by-laws of his Lodge, Chapter, etc. The Rituals embody the whole of Masonic instruction. The latter two contain the Laws, Rules and Regulations necessary for their government as is necessary for all organizations. Everything else is opinion.

This Wiki is not, in any way, affiliated or associated with any Lodge or Grand Lodge and does not represent an official position of any Masonic Body.

Page Layout

Red words in the text of a page will open either the relevant page in Wikipedia or display the definition of the word in a Dictionary. These pages open a new tab in your browser and will have to be closed by you. You cannot use the 'back' button in your browser.